Language Speaks by Marvin Francis Reales

Person is always in communion. The person is always communal in nature and can never be separated from the community. For the essence of the community is from the persons. Since we as persons, are in the community, how are we going to interact and deal with each other? We, as human individuals interact and intermingle with each other through communication or conversation. And we use language as our means of communicating and talking with other individuals. We speak. We speak because speaking is natural to us. Language speaks. Language is everywhere. Human beings are said to have language by nature. Language is language. Language itself is language. Conversation is a mere play of words, that is why it is strange. We make believe that they speak about things but in fact, language speaks only of itself. Language has its own world because it concerns only of itself. Some speak about certain thing or to someone but in fact they could only speak about themselves. This simply shows that using language has limitation. Ones you speak of something, you cannot freely capture or grasp because it is always “kulang”. It does not mean that, what you are saying and sharing about that particular thing or to someone else is already right and similar to their interpretations, however it always changes. It will still depend on the perception, view, interpretation and understanding of the object. You cannot control it. Ones you already uttered a word or words, it is not already yours. Despite of the limitations o using language, we cannot deny the fact that language is very essential in our everyday lives. Wherever we go, wherever we are, language is always there, for it is everywhere. We always use language. Language is our identity. Without language, we cannot be identified and capable of being human beings. For all the creatures being created by the Father, we are grateful and thankful because we human beings have only given the gift to speak. It is our distinction from plants, animals and all other living creatures. We have our language. Also through language, we are being linked, bonded and connected with each other. We could communicate to others. We could talk and express our own feelings, fulfillment, achievements, happiness, success, appreciation, care, love, compassion, gratitude, jokes, and of course, share our problems, frustrations, disappointments, failures as well. Because of language, we can read, share our own ideas, thoughts and knowledge to others. We can give advice and words of inspiration. We can touch and inspire one’s life through our loving, moving and touching words of encouragement. Language could really help us a lot especially in expressing our deep love, care and concern to someone. We can say to them, “I love you Ma, Pa”, “Thank You”, “Take care”. Above all, through language we can express our deepest love, worship and adoration to our Almighty Father, and of these is prayer. However, there were times in our everyday encounter with each other.  Language sometimes makes barrier and gap to one of us. There were times that we have our misunderstandings, hatreds and anger because of misinterpretations, and misconception of what we are saying and talking with each other. We could not really capture and understand what others are talking. It shows that we as human beings have our own view, perspective and interpretation and how we see things in life. Thus, in order for us to capture and understand others, we have to get out o our own prejudices and biases and enter into their understanding and view.